Noise Pollution Increases Heart Disease Risk

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By Ann-Marie Waters, Associate Editor.

According to the ‘World Health Organisation’ any form of unwelcome sound is noise pollution. Until recently the damaging effects of noise pollution on one’s health was unclear but new data concludes that irritating noise leads to high levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline that can result in hypertension – increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, and immune deficiencies.

The biggest offenders are air and road traffic noise, and loud music, but other irritating and prolonged noise such as a barking dog or constant banging from D.I.Y fanatics next door can increase one’s stress levels and lead to a raised blood pressure.

For instance – John Stewert, who went on to set up the ‘National Noise Pressure Group’ in the United Kingdom, was seriously affected by noise pollution when a landing aircraft flight path at Heathrow Airport, London was changed – resulting in planes flying over his apartment every 90 seconds. His sleep became interrupted and he developed heart palpitations. After visiting his doctor and finding that his blood pressure was too high, and his GP suggesting that he needed to take serious and immediate action to decrease his stress levels – he sold his house and moved to a quieter area, and subsequently his blood pressure gradually returned to normal.

Additionally, a study carried out by Cornell University in New York found that employees in an open-plan office exposed to constant noise from telephones, machinery, and chitter-chatter contained higher levels of adrenaline in their urine than employees working at a quieter self-contained work station.

What Constitutes Noise Pollution?

Many experts agree that any type of noise that is causing you to feel irritated and stressed over a prolonged period is damaging to your health. The worst scenario being: you are in a position where you cannot change the offending circumstances, and feeling trapped and helpless.

Moreover – According to Deepak Prasher Professor of Audiology (University College London), some people are unaware of the changing physiological effects taking place as they become habituated to noise over time. Women who judge themselves to be particularly sensitive to noise have an 80% increased risk of cardiovascular mortality.